Chapter 9
How does Elkind's adolescent egocentrism differ from the egocentrism that is part of Piaget's preoperational thought stage? What is the imaginary audience? What is the personal fable?
Elkind thinks that when children reach age 12 they can see beyond the surface of adult rules. (six grader realizes his 10 o'clock bedtime can be manipulated and negotiable). Imaginary audience: the tendency of young teenagers to feel that everyone is watching their every action; a component of adolescent egocentrism. Personal fable: the tendency of young teens to believe their lives are special and heroic; a component of adult egocentrism
Describe formal operation thinking. How does this stage differ from concrete operational thinking?
Formal operational thinking: people develop the ability to think about abstract concepts. In concrete operational stage a child is able to think rationally about objects if they can work with or see the objects. In the formal operations stage they are able to think rationally and do not need the objects being thought about to be present.
Describe Kohlberg's three levels of moral reasoning
Preconventional level of morality: the lowest level of moral reasoning in which people approach ethical issues by considering the personal punishments or rewards of taking of taking a particular action. (John shouldn't take the drugs cause he will go to jail). Conventional level: intermediate level of more reasoning in which people respond to ethical issues by considering the need to uphold social norms (John shouldn't steal the drug cause its a persons duty to obey the law). Postconventional level: highest level in which people respond to ethical issues by applying their own moral guidelines apart from society's rules (No matter what society says, John had to steal the drug because nothing outweighs the universal principle of saving a life)
What early warning signs predict which teens are likely to engage in problem behaviors? What is the difference between adolescence-limited turmoil and life-course difficulties?
Prior emotional regulation difficulties, poor family relationships, they live in non-nurturing environments. Adolescent-limited turmoil is antisocial behavior that is specific to adolescence and does not persist into adult life. Life-course difficulties are antisocial behavior that persists into adult life
What is deviancy training? How might understanding deviancy training be useful in working with teens who are at-risk for delinquent behavior?
Socialization of a young teenager into delinquency through conversations centered on performing antisocial acts.
What do teens and parents tend to argue about? How does culture affect pushing for autonomy?
Teens and parents arguing: everyday life: going to church, doing homework, cleaning their room. Family pressures present special hurdles for immigrant teens, straddling two cultures can upend the parent teenager relationship
What are some tips for parents of teens? What are Belsky's recommendations for how society should deal with adolescents?
Tips: Undersatand that strong emotions may not have the same meaning for your teen that they do for you, let negative comments roll off your back, provide family centered activities, laying down rules is less effective than encouraging your child's passions, if your teen is getting involved in illegal activities or seems depressed you do need to be concerned, your teens peer choices off good hints about their behavior and keep the lines of communication open. Belskys: don't punish adolescents as if they were mentally just like adults, don't taint young people with a criminal record for minor teenage experimentation, provide activities that capitalize on adolescent strength, change high schools to provide a better adolescent-environment fit.
